Grapefruit-White Wine Spritzers

This is a wonderfully light and fruity punch for a spring event! I don't care for grapefruit and I really liked it. Will definately make again!

Grapefruit-White Wine Spritzers

4 cups pink grapefruit
juice cocktail, chilled
1 bottle white wine
(recipe recommends Chardonnay, but I’ve used all kinds of white wine)
2/3 cup sugar
1 pink grapefruit, thinly
sliced (optional)
2 cups club soda, chilled

Stir together the first 3
ingredients until sugar dissolves; add grapefruit. Stir in club soda just
before serving. Pour over ice, and serve. Makes 11 cups.

Cake Balls

Here is my first attempt at cake balls! I used chocolate cake and chocolate frosting.

I make these out of desperation. Gena bought me a cake pop pan for Christmas and I over filled it. It left me with a cake mess. I remembered that Family Circle had a cake pop recipe in the Halloween issue and it uses a whole cake crumbled.

Here is the recipe for Cake Balls

1 18 1/4 ounce box cake mix
13 x 9 x 2-inch cake pan
Large mixing bowl
1 16 ounce container prepared frosting
Large metal spoon
Wax paper
2 baking sheets
Plastic wrap
Black edible-ink pen
Directions
1. Bake cake as directed on the box, using a 13 x 9 x 2-inch cake pan. Let cool completely.
2. Once cake is cooled, get organized and set aside at least an hour to crumble, roll and dip 4 dozen cake balls.
3. Crumble cooled cake into a large mixing bowl: Cut a baked 13 x 9-inch cake into four equal sections. Remove a section from the pan, break it in half and rub the two pieces together over a large bowl, making sure to crumble any large pieces that fall off. You can also use a fork to break apart any larger pieces. Repeat with each section until entire cake is crumbled into a fine texture. (If large pieces are mixed in, the cake balls may turn out lumpy and bumpy.) You should not see any large pieces of cake.
4. Add 3/4 of the container of frosting. Mix it into the crumbled cake, using the back of a large metal spoon, until thoroughly combined. (You will not need the remaining frosting; if you use the entire container, the cake balls will be too moist.)
5. The mixture should be moist enough to roll into 11/2-inch balls and still hold a round shape. After rolling the cake balls by hand, place them on a wax papercovered baking sheet.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for several hours in the refrigerator, or place in the freezer for about 15 minutes. You want the balls to be firm but not frozen.
7. If you're making a project that calls for uncoated cake balls, stop here and proceed to decorate the cake balls, following the project instructions.
Tip - The cake balls will be easier to roll if you wash and dry your hands periodically during the rolling process. Dry your hands completely each time, and make sure you don't get water in the candy coating, as this can make it unusable.

This saved the day and everyone loved them. I would definately make them again.

Time to make the donuts!

For Christmas, Bailey got a Babycakes Donut maker. She couldn't wait to test it out!

Here are the finished products and they were yummy!
We tried out the chocolate recipe today. Next time Mommy wants to make the sour cream ones!

Pumpkin Cake

Fall is officially here and what better way to celebrate than with pumpkin cake!

This recipe is very simple and delicious!
Pumpkin Cake
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 can Libby’s pumpkin

Combine eggs, sugar and oil. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the pumpkin. Combine mixtures. Fold in pumpkin. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes in a greased and floured bunt pan. Top with cream cheese icing if desired.

Happy Fall!

Birthday Cupcake

We had lots of birthdays to celebrate this week so I make "birthday" cupcakes! The picture does not do these justice. I put them in the freezer to they would make the trip to school in Jack's backpack. That is why the plastic is a little foggy.

I put a cupcake in a Solo 9oz. clear cup, piped on some chocolate icing, and added a few mini chocolate chips. The whole cup fits perfectly in a Wilton's party bag. I tied it off with some ribbon and a fork. These would be great for a bake sale!

Last Day of WLC Summer Session

Toady is the last day of the "Cooking Gone Wild" WLC summer session. We made a few treats for the teachers to thank them for such a wonderful summer. Hard to believe today is the last day.

Triple Chocolate Cake

The AUMC Youth had a bake sale this past Sunday to raise money for their mission trip. I baked four mini triple chocolate cakes to donate. They sold for $5.00 each. We kept one for us and it was YUMMY!

Mom's Night at Raffa's

Tiffany, Kristi, Joan, Yolanda, Stefanie and I went to Raffa's Waterfront Grill in Kingwood for a night out. It was a great time and the food was delicious!

Cracker Candy

Here is a delicious idea for Valentine's Day! Made this easy cracker candy for all the kids teachers this year. Placed them into zip lock sandwich bags and then topped them off with these cute bag toppers I found at Hobby Lobby. Jack passed his out of Friday and got rave reviews!

Here is the recipe for the Cracker Candy
15 sheets graham crackers
¾ cup chopped Pecans
1 ¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
½ cup semi sweet chips
½ cup white choc chips
Grease a jelly roll pan. Divide graham crackers into small sections and place in single layer in the bottom of the greased jelly roll pan. Sprinkle nuts over crackers. In a sauce pan, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Pour over graham crackers. Bake 10 minutes at 350o. Immediately remove sections from pan and place onto waxed paper. Melt dark chocolate & white chocolate in micro wave and drizzle over cracker sections.

ENJOY!

Gingerbread Martinis

Went to a Christmas party last night and they served Gingerbread Martinis. They were yummy. You can get one at Outback, but our host whipped up a batch in her kitchen.

Here is the recipe....
‎1 ounce Ketel One vodka
1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
1/2 ounce Kahlúa liqueur
1/2 ounce Monin gingerbread syrup
1/2 scoop vanilla ice cream — semi-melted
...Whipped cream
Gingerbread marshmallow or cookie
Mix the first five ingredients over ice, shake well, pour into a chilled martini glass and top with a generous portion of whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie.

CHEERS!

Sweet Treats for HHE Staff

For October, I did a "sweet" treat to give out to the HHE Staff. I love this Holiday Party Snack Mix because you can add the candy for they holiday at hand. I used Fall colored M&Ms this time.

DESSERTS: 4th of July

Here are some of the yummy things I have made for this years 4th of July celebration. Can't wait to cut into the Red, White and Blue Fun Fetti Cake or take a bite of the pinwheel cookies. The kids will love fun star shaped marshmallows and snack mix.

Eatable Cone Easter Basket

I have been looking for new craft ideas and stumbled onto this very cute idea for Easter. It is an Easter basket made out of an ice cream cone.

It came out of the book 175 Easy-to-Do Easter Crafts. To make just follow these simple instructions.

Fill an empty ice-cream cone with assorted candies. Cut a circle from plastic food wrap, and lay it over the top of the cone. Tie two ribbons around the top rim of the cone, and knot at opposite sides.

Bring the four ends of the ribbon up, and tie them together in a bow to make the handle. Hang the cone basket on some one's doorknob.

Think we may do this as an eatable craft for my preschool class' Easter party. Just going to replace the ribbons with liquorish. I am also going to tint coconut green for my Easter grass. We will make and then eat our creations.

Click here to see the Cheetos Carrots we made last year.

Bucca di Beppo Anniversary Lunch

We took the kids to Bucca di Beppo to celebrate our 11 wedding anniversary. This is such a fun family place that serves the most delicious Italian food. Jack isn't much on Italian, so we stopped and got a 4 piece nugget kids meal from McDonald's. After lunch, we took a few pictures in the pretty garden.
We had such a good time. The kids are already ready to go back!

Great Way to say "THANKS"

Need an easy thank you gift? These Thanks-A-Lot Girl Scout cookies are heart-warming shortbread cookies dipped in rich fudge and topped with an embossed Thank You message in one of five languages. I bought enough boxes to give one to all of the kids' teacher, but they would make the perfect gift for just about anyone. If you want a box or two, but let me know soon. Cookie sales will be over before you know it!

Italian Vegetable Soup

Tonight was a cold and rainy evening and in my book that is great soup weather. I made a pot of Italian Vegetable Soup. I didn't think to snap a picture before I put everything away, but here is the recipe.

1 lb. ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrots
2 cloves mined garlic
1 16 oz can tomatoes
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 15-oz. can kidney beans (un-drained)
2 cup water (or more)
5 teaspoon beef bouillon
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup frozen or fresh gr. Beans
1 cup macaroni

Brown ground beef in large pan; drain. Add all ingredients EXCEPT cabbage, green beans and macaroni. Bring to boil. Lower heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add additional water for thinner soup. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

It is mmmm, mmmm homemade good!

Valentine's Day Cake, Gifts and Games

It just isn't Valentine's Day without chocolate. Here is the dark chocolate cake Bailey and I made for Christian. This recipe is as easy as a box cake and taste even better!
Dark Chocolate Cake
1 3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup boiling water
Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients except boiling water. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Remove from mixer and stir in boiling water (mix by hand). Pour into greased & floured pan. Bake at 350o for 35 to 40 minutes.

Christian gave me a mushy card, a box of good chocolates and a new frig for the garage. Our second frig stopped working two days before Valentine's Day and that is was I wanted.

Both kids had Valentine's Day party's at school. They exchanged cards and played games. One of the games I had never seen before and I thought it would be fun to do next year was stacking large conversation hearts into a tower of 20. This was a test of fine motor skills and Bailey was the first in her class to complete the task. I was there to see it and didn't think to snap a picture if you can believe that ;~)
I had Bailey stack them up again at home.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Crock-pot Taco Soup

Here is something to heat you up on a cold day, Chicken Taco Soup.

1 can Chicken Breast 13 oz
1 can Diced Tomatoes & chilies 11 oz
1 can Diced Tomatoes 28 oz
1 can Green Chilies 4 oz
1 can Kidney Beans 15 oz
1 can Black Beans 15 oz
1 can Whole Kernel Corn 11 oz
1 pkg Taco Seasoning Mix
1 pkg Ranch Dressing Mix

Suggested Garnishes: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, tortilla chips.

Shred the chicken. Combine all the ingredients into a crock-pot and stir. Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, tortilla chips.

Found this recipe on the can of chicken and gave it a try. It was great because you just dump in all the ingredients into the crock-pot and your done.

Hash Brown Potato & Ham Casserole

Today was my turn to bring breakfast to my Sunday School class, Revelations, at AUMC. I picked a hearty Hash Brown Potato & Ham Casserole. It is a perfect fit to feed a crowd on a cool winter morning. I had several request for the recipe and decided to post it!

Hash Brown Potato & Ham Casserole
1 24-oz. pkg. Hash brown potato square patties
(Thaw/pat dry. Break into pieces & pat dry again)
Put in 9x13 greased pan. Bake @ 425o for 25 minutes.
Potato topping:
2 cups Monterey jack cheese
2 cups cheddar cheese
2 cups diced ham
1 Tablespoon green onion
8 eggs
2 cups of milk

Mix eggs with milk. Salt and Pepper to taste. Pour over cheese and ham. Bake 35 - 60 minutes @ 350o.

I also made this Christmas day with my left over ham from our Christmas Eve dinner. It is super quick to put together!

New Years Dinner

Pork ribs, coleslaw, corn bread, Texas caviar and corn were on the menu this New Years at our house. Everything turned out great and tasted delicious! Here's to a prosperous 2010!